Lacrosse head with flush connection system and offset

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse stick includes a shaft and a lacrosse head. The lacrosse head includes a throat that is configured to receive the shaft. A top surface of the throat is flush with a top surface of the shaft.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a lacrosse headwith an offset; and more specifically to a lacrosse head with a flushconnection system.

Background

A lacrosse stick is a key piece of equipment for lacrosse players.Lacrosse sticks are used for offensive moves, such as cradling,catching, picking up, passing, and shooting a lacrosse ball, as well asfor defensive moves, such as hitting an opponent's stick. Lacrossesticks generally include a shaft and a head. A lacrosse head that isoffset from the axis of the shaft allows for increased speed andaccuracy when shooting or passing the ball, and also allows forincreased control and ball retention when cradling the ball. However,lacrosse organizations have regulations for lacrosse sticks, includingthat the lacrosse stick be relatively straight (i.e., the lacrosse stickmay be laid flat on a tabletop with a substantial portion resting on thetable and a distance from the tabletop to the bottom edge of thelacrosse head not exceeding a certain distance (e.g., 2.75 inches)).This regulation indirectly limits the amount of offset permitted in aregulation lacrosse stick. Previous connection systems between alacrosse head and a shaft further limit the amount of offset, thuspreventing players from using the maximum benefit of an offset lacrossehead that would be permitted by the regulations.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Lacrosse heads and lacrosse sticks are disclosed. In some embodiments, alacrosse stick includes a shaft and a lacrosse head that includes athroat. In some embodiments, the throat receives the shaft. In someembodiments, a top surface of the throat is flush with a top surface ofthe shaft.

In some embodiments, the top surface of the throat defines a gap. Insome embodiments, the lacrosse head also includes a connector disposedwithin the throat. In some embodiments, the shaft is disposed betweenthe throat and the connector. In some embodiments, the lacrosse stickalso includes a hole disposed in a bottom of the shaft, a hole disposedin a bottom of the throat, and a hole disposed in the connector. In someembodiments, the hole in the shaft, the hole in the throat, and the holein the connector are aligned. In some embodiments, a fastener extendsthrough the holes and secures the lacrosse head to the shaft. In someembodiments, the lacrosse head provides a maximum allowable offset.

In some embodiments, a lacrosse head includes a throat and a connectordisposed within the throat. In some embodiments, the throat can receivea shaft of a lacrosse stick. In some embodiments, a top surface of thethroat defines a gap.

In some embodiments, the top surface of the throat can be flush with atop surface of the shaft. In some embodiments, the connector can beinserted into the shaft. In some embodiments, a bottom surface of theconnector corresponds in shape to a portion of an interior of the shaft.In some embodiments, the gap is wider at a first end of the throat thanat a second end of the throat. In some embodiments, the connectorincludes a hole to receive a fastener. In some embodiments, the throatincludes a hole to receive a fastener. In some embodiments, the hole inthe throat is aligned with the hole in the connector.

In some embodiments, a lacrosse stick includes a shaft and a lacrossehead. In some embodiments, the lacrosse head includes a throat and aconnector disposed within the throat. In some embodiments, the shaft isdisposed within the throat and the connector is disposed within theshaft.

In some embodiments, a top surface of the throat defines a gap. In someembodiments, the shaft is visible through the gap. In some embodiments,the lacrosse head does not extend above a top surface of the shaft. Insome embodiments, the connector is disposed within the throat such thata top surface of the throat can be flush with the shaft. In someembodiments, a bottom edge of the lacrosse head is disposed at a maximumallowable offset from a central axis of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lacrosse stick according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a test for determining whether a lacrosse stick meetsregulations.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of lacrosse sticks according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lacrosse head according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a lacrosse head according to someembodiments.

FIG. 6 shows an end view of a lacrosse head according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a side cross-section view of a lacrosse head secured to ashaft according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a lacrosse stick according to someembodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a lacrosse stick according to someembodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a throat of a lacrosse headaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a throat of a lacrosse headaccording to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich like reference numerals are used to indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. References to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

The term “invention” or “present invention” as used herein is anon-limiting term and is not intended to refer to any single embodimentof the particular invention but encompasses all possible embodiments asdescribed in the application.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of thepresent invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of thevariety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field,and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within thespirit and scope of the invention.

Lacrosse sticks are used extensively during a game of lacrosse (e.g., tocradle, catch, pick up, pass, and shoot a lacrosse ball, or to hit anopponent's stick). Lacrosse sticks generally include a shaft and a head.A lacrosse head that is offset from the axis of the shaft (i.e., thebottom edge of the lacrosse head is spaced from the axis of the shaft)allows for increased speed and accuracy when shooting or passing theball, and also allows for increased control and ball retention whencradling the ball, because it maximizes the distance the ball sits fromthe axis of the shaft. However, lacrosse organizations have regulationsfor lacrosse sticks that may limit this offset. For example, the NCAAmen's lacrosse rules require lacrosse sticks to be relatively straight,which is defined as a lacrosse stick that may be laid flat on a tabletopwith a substantial portion resting on the table and such that a distancefrom the tabletop to the bottom edge of the lacrosse head does notexceed 2.75 inches.

Other considerations have also limited this offset in previous lacrossesticks. For example, during play, both the shaft and the head of alacrosse stick repeatedly experience high forces, for example, fromscooping a ball off the ground or being checked by an opponent's stick,which may loosen or crack the head or lead to separation of the headfrom the shaft. Accordingly, the connection of the head to the shaftshould be secure to reduce these incidents. In light of these concerns,lacrosse sticks included connection systems with material thatcompletely surrounded the shaft (i.e., an external stability element).Such external stability elements included material on the top surface ofthe shaft. Those of ordinary skill in the art would have expected aconnection system without material over the top surface of the shaft tobe inadequate in securing the head to the shaft and would have expecteda lacrosse stick with such a connection system to frequently experienceloosening, cracking, or separation of the head. Thus, previousconnection systems between a lacrosse head and a shaft included materialover the top of the shaft and further limited the amount of offset,which prevented players from using the maximum benefit of an offsetlacrosse head that would be permitted by the regulations.

The embodiments described herein provide a connection system thatprovides the maximum allowable offset while maintaining a secureconnection between the lacrosse head and the shaft. For example, theconnection system allows the top side of the head (i.e., the side facingdown in FIG. 2) and the shaft to be flush with each other. Accordingly,the distance between the top surface of the shaft and the bottom edge ofthe head (i.e., opposite the top side (facing up in FIG. 2)) may be themaximum allowable distance of 2.75 inches, which facilitates the maximumallowable offset.

In some embodiments, a lacrosse stick 10, as shown, for example, in FIG.1, includes a shaft 20 and a head 30. In some embodiments, shaft 20includes a top surface 22, an interior 24, and a bottom portion 26.Shaft 20 may have a cross-section height 21 (see FIG. 3) and a lengthsuitable for a lacrosse stick (e.g., short sticks, long sticks, orgoalie sticks). In some embodiments, shaft 20 has an octagonalcross-section. Other cross-sections may also be used, such as hexagonal,teardrop, oval, etc. In some embodiments, shaft 20 is hollow.

In some embodiments, head 30 includes a scoop 32, a pair of opposingsidewalls 34, a ball stop 36, and a throat 40. Scoop 32, sidewalls 34,and ball stop 36 may have a variety of designs. In some embodiments,throat 40 is configured to receive shaft 20. In some embodiments, throat40 includes a top surface 42. In some embodiments, top surface 42 ofthroat 40 is flush with top surface 22 of shaft 20. In some embodiments,top surface 22 of shaft 20 is above top surface 42 of throat 40. In someembodiments, top surface 42 defines a gap 44. In some embodiments, topsurface 22 of shaft 20 fills in gap 44 of top surface 42. In someembodiments, shaft 20 is visible through gap 44.

In some embodiments, throat 40 extends from a first end 46 to a secondend 48. In some embodiments, first end 46 is the farthest point fromball stop 36. In some embodiments, second end 48 is closest to ball stop36. In some embodiments, second end 48 is adjacent to ball stop 36. Insome embodiments, gap 44 extends from first end 46 to second end 48. Insome embodiments, gap 44 is wider at first end 46 than at second end 48,as shown, for example, in FIG. 9. In some embodiments, top surface 22 ofshaft 20 fills in gap 44 so that top surface 22 of shaft 20 is flushwith top surface 42 of throat 40. In some embodiments, top surface 42 isthe highest portion of head 30. In some embodiments, no portion of head30 extends above top surface 22 of shaft 20, as shown, for example, inFIG. 8. In some embodiments, this configuration allows lacrosse stick 10to take advantage of the maximum allowable offset.

Lacrosse organizations may have regulations for dimensions of lacrossesticks, including a distance 12 (see FIG. 2) from a top surface of alacrosse stick 1 to a bottom portion of a lacrosse head. For example,the maximum allowable distance 12 may be 2.75 inches. A simple test 15may be performed to check whether lacrosse stick 1 is compliant withthese regulations. As shown in FIG. 2, lacrosse stick 1 may be placed ona flat surface 16, such as a table. To determine whether the regulationis met, the distance between flat surface 16 and the bottom portion oflacrosse stick 1 can easily be determined, which is equivalent todistance 12. Thus, according to the regulation, distance 12 must bewithin the maximum allowable distance (e.g., 2.75 inches).

Existing lacrosse heads have a material (often emblems, badges, etc.) atthe throat disposed above the top surface of the shaft. This may limitthe offset (i.e., the distance between the axis of the shaft and thebottom portion of the lacrosse head) that can be achieved by thelacrosse stick because the material will be part of distance 12. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3, lacrosse stick 1 and lacrosse stick 10 mayhave shafts with an equal cross-section height 21 (e.g., 1.07 inches),as well as an equal distance 12 (i.e., from the top surface to thebottom surface) (e.g., 2.75 inches). However, lacrosse stick 1 andlacrosse stick 10 do not have an equal offset 14 because a portion ofthe head of lacrosse stick 1 is above the shaft.

In contrast, in certain embodiments, in lacrosse stick 10, top surface42 of throat 40 is the top surface of lacrosse head 30. Because topsurface 42 is flush with top surface 22 of shaft 20, lacrosse stick 10provides the maximum allowable offset 14 (i.e., maximum allowabledistance 12 minus half of the cross-section height 21 of the shaft)between the axis of shaft 20 and bottom edge 35 of head 30. For example,if lacrosse stick 1 and lacrosse stick 10 are both at the maximumallowable distance 12 of 2.75 inches and have a shaft cross-sectionheight 21 of 1.07 inches, lacrosse stick 1 may have an offset 14 of 1.95inches whereas lacrosse stick 10 may have an offset of 2.215 inchesbecause lacrosse stick 10 does not have any material in head 30 abovetop surface 22 of shaft 20. This greater offset allows for increasedspeed and accuracy when shooting or passing the ball.

In some embodiments, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4-6, lacrosse head30 includes a connector 50. In some embodiments, connector 50 isdisposed within throat 40. In some embodiments, throat 40 is configuredto receive shaft 20 and connector 50 is configured to be inserted intointerior 24 of shaft 20. In some embodiments, shaft 20 is disposedbetween throat 40 and connector 50.

In some embodiments, connector 50 comprises a prong or projection thatextends from second end 48 within throat 40. For example, connector 50may be a cantilevered projection that is supported at second end 48 ofthroat 40 and is unsupported at an opposite end of connector 50. In someembodiments, connector 50 extends beyond first end 46 of throat 40. Insome embodiments, connector 50 extends to first end 46 of throat 40. Insome embodiments, connector 50 does not extend as far as throat 40(i.e., connector 50 may have a length that is less than the distancebetween first end 46 and second end 48).

In some embodiments, connector 50 is monolithic with throat 40. In someembodiments, connector 50 is monolithic with head 30. Thus, head 30(including throat 40) and connector 50 may be a unitary component. Insome embodiments, connector 50 is rigid. In some embodiments, connector50 is co-molded with throat 40 and/or head 30. In some embodiments,connector 50 is integrally molded with throat 40 and/or head 30. Thus,in some embodiments, the connection system is integrated into throat 40of head 30. In some embodiments, connector 50 is not a fastener (e.g.,screw, bolt, etc.). In some embodiments, connector 50 is sufficient towithstand forces experienced during competitive lacrosse to securelyhold head 30 on shaft 20.

In some embodiments, throat 40 has an interior shape that corresponds tothe cross-sectional shape of shaft 20 (e.g., octagonal) (see FIG. 6). Insome embodiments, a portion of connector 50 corresponds to a shape ofinterior 24. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 56 of connector 50corresponds to a shape of interior 24. In some embodiments, the bottomsurface 56 of connector 50 forms three or more sides of an octagonalshape. Accordingly, when shaft 20 and head 30 are attached, connector 50is disposed within shaft 20 and shaft 20 is disposed within throat 40.

In some embodiments, the top of connector 50 is flat. In someembodiments, connector 50 has a width that is the same as the width ofinterior 24 of shaft 20. In some embodiments, connector 50 has a widththat is at least 90% of the width of interior 24 of shaft 20.

In some embodiments, connectors may have a different shape thanconnector 50 shown in FIGS. 4-6. For example, in some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 10, a lacrosse head 130 includes a throat 140 with aconnector 150. Throat 140 may have a top surface 142 that defines a gap144. Throat 140 may be configured to receive shaft 20 such that topsurface 142 is flush with top surface 22 of shaft 20 and shaft 20 fillsgap 144. Connector 150 may be configured to be inserted into shaft 20.The bottom of connector 150 may correspond to a shape of interior 24.The top of connector 150 may have a shape that corresponds to the shapeof the bottom of connector 150, in contrast to the top of connector 50,which is flat.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 11, a lacrosse head 230 includes athroat 240 with a connector 250. Throat 240 may have a top surface 242that defines a gap (not shown). Throat 240 may be configured to receiveshaft 20 such that top surface 242 is flush with top surface 22 of shaft20 and shaft 20 fills the gap. Connector 240 may be configured to beinserted into shaft 20. The bottom of connector 250 may correspond to ashape of interior 24. Connector 250 may be T-shaped. In someembodiments, the top of connector 250 may extend to the top of interior24 of shaft 20. Other variations of connectors may also be used.

In some embodiments, connector 50 comprises a hole 55 configured toreceive a fastener (e.g., screw, bolt, etc.), such as a screw 60 (seeFIG. 7). In some embodiments, connector 50 comprises more than one hole55 (e.g., two holes 55). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, throat40 comprises a hole 45 configured to receive a fastener (e.g., screw60). In some embodiments, throat 40 comprises more than one hole 45(e.g., two holes 45). In some embodiments, hole 45 is disposed in abottom portion of throat 40.

As shown in FIG. 7, shaft 20 may also comprise a hole 25 configured toreceive a fastener (e.g., screw 60). In some embodiments, shaft 20comprises more than one hole 25 (e.g., two holes 25). In someembodiments, hole 25 is disposed in bottom portion 26 of shaft 20. Insome embodiments, holes 45, holes 25, and holes 55 are aligned with eachother. In some embodiments, one or more screws 60 are inserted throughholes 45, holes 25, and holes 55 to secure head 30 to shaft 20. In someembodiments, holes 45, holes 25, and holes 55 have the same diameter d.In some embodiments, diameter d of holes 45, holes 25, and holes 55 isless than the width D of the threads of screws 60. When screws 60 twistinto head 30, the material of throat 40 and connector 50 (e.g., plastic)deforms around the thread to create a secure fit.

Various embodiments described herein provide a connection system thatfacilitates a maximum allowable offset in a lacrosse stick, which mayresult in increased speed and accuracy, for example, when shooting aball. At the same time, strength and rigidity of the lacrosse stick ismaintained. Further variations of the embodiments described above mayalso be provided.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A lacrosse stick comprising: a shaft; and a lacrosse head comprisinga throat, the throat configured to receive the shaft, wherein a topsurface of the throat is flush with a top surface of the shaft.
 2. Thelacrosse stick of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the throat definesa gap.
 3. The lacrosse stick of claim 1, wherein the lacrosse headfurther comprises a connector disposed within the throat.
 4. Thelacrosse stick of claim 3, wherein the shaft is disposed between thethroat and the connector.
 5. The lacrosse stick of claim 3, furthercomprising: a hole disposed in a bottom of the shaft; a hole disposed ina bottom of the throat; and a hole disposed in the connector.
 6. Thelacrosse stick of claim 5, wherein the hole in the shaft, the hole inthe throat, and the hole in the connector are aligned, furthercomprising a fastener extending through the holes and securing thelacrosse head to the shaft.
 7. The lacrosse stick of claim 1, whereinthe lacrosse head is configured to provide a maximum allowable offset.8. A lacrosse head comprising: a throat configured to receive a shaft ofa lacrosse stick, wherein a top surface of the throat defines a gap; anda connector disposed within the throat.
 9. The lacrosse head of claim 8,wherein the top surface of the throat is configured to be flush with atop surface of the shaft.
 10. The lacrosse head of claim 8, wherein theconnector is configured to be inserted into the shaft.
 11. The lacrossehead of claim 8, wherein a bottom surface of the connector correspondsin shape to a portion of an interior of the shaft.
 12. The lacrosse headof claim 8, wherein the gap is wider at a first end of the throat thanat a second end of the throat.
 13. The lacrosse head of claim 8, whereinthe connector comprises a hole configured to receive a fastener.
 14. Thelacrosse head of claim 13, wherein the throat comprises a holeconfigured to receive a fastener, and wherein the hole in the throat isaligned with the hole in the connector.
 15. A lacrosse stick comprising:a shaft; and a lacrosse head comprising a throat and a connectordisposed within the throat, wherein the shaft is disposed within thethroat and the connector is disposed within the shaft, wherein thelacrosse head does not extend above a top surface of the shaft.
 16. Thelacrosse stick of claim 15, wherein a top surface of the throat definesa gap.
 17. The lacrosse stick of claim 16, wherein the shaft is visiblethrough the gap.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The lacrosse stick of claim 15,wherein the connector is disposed within the throat such that a topsurface of the throat can be flush with the shaft.
 20. The lacrossestick of claim 19, wherein a bottom edge of the lacrosse head isdisposed at a maximum allowable offset from a central axis of the shaft.21. The lacrosse stick of claim 16, wherein the top surface of the shaftis disposed in the gap.